Planning a top priority in Coalition's second term

28/11/96

Planning for Western Australia's growth will be given top priority in the Coalition Government's second term in office.

Planning Minister Richard Lewis said the Coalition Government's Planning Policy emphasised the need to progress regional strategies and refine guidelines for urban development throughout the State.

Mr Lewis said the Coalition Government had successfully moved the focus of planning in WA away from the Perth metropolitan area.

"The establishment of the WA Planning Commission has given planning a much broader canvass which will greatly benefit fast growing regional areas of the State," he said.

"The Coalition Government is committed to the adoption of a State Planning Strategy to provide a vision for the development of WA over the next three decades.

"The strategy, which has been released for public comment, will give Government an insight into the forces which will impact on the State's development and be an invaluable tool in balancing the various needs of our growing community.

"In deciding to undertake such a massive planning exercise, the Coalition Government demonstrated its commitment to preserving our treasured lifestyle and environment and to creating certainty for investment decisions and the State's economic security."

A WA Community Code would be introduced during the Coalition Government's second term in office.

Mr Lewis said the code, which was being prepared by the WA Planning Commission, would address a range of issues related to urban development.

"The code will look at problems that have emerged in relation to urban renewal in established areas, the impact of the changing housing requirements of our population and the environmental implications of planning and development," he said.

The Coalition Government's Planning Policy includes a number of other key commitments:

·       consolidate the Town Planning and Development Act 1928, the Metropolitan Region Town Planning Scheme Act 1959, and the Western Australian Planning Commission Act 1985;

·       review of the system of planning appeals to enable speedy and effective decisions on planning matters;

·       continue to actively promote central Perth as a desirable and attractive place in which to work, live and play by encouraging the development of a top-quality urban environment;

·       promote and encourage development of urban development which is energy-efficient and reduces pollution;

·       ensure that regional planning identifies suitable areas for major industrial growth and development;

·       reserve and provide funding for the acquisition of land for a major expansion of Perth's network of regional recreational facilities;

·       pursue a program of preparing statutory region plans for major regional centres;

·       increase capital funding for the Coogee redevelopment;

·       begin work on a statement on the potential environmental impact of the growth in the Perth metropolitan area as envisaged in the State Planning Strategy; and

·       continue to fund local governments and community groups for coastal management projects.

Mr Lewis said there had been significant changes in planning during the Coalition Government's first term in office.

"The changes have seen planning adopt a much higher profile in our community and foster a leading role in the promotion of a whole-of-government approach to land use planning and development in WA," he said.

The Coalition Government's key achievements in the planning portfolio include:

·       the establishment of the WA Planning Commission to serve as the pinnacle body within Government for State-wide land use planning and co-ordination;

·       reform of the State's planning laws including the integration of environmental approvals into the planning process;

·       the identification of at least a 10-year supply (17,540ha) of urban land and the reservation of more than 32,000ha of land for open space in the metropolitan region as part of a major update of the Metropolitan Region Scheme which is the planning blueprint for Perth;

·       an increased focus on regional planning in country regions, completing a number of strategies, regional plans and planning reviews;

·       the formulation of an Urban Bushland Strategy and Advisory Group and the provision of $50 million for the acquisition of urban bushland of regional significance;

·       the appointment of the Coastal Zone Management Council and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between all levels of government to ensure better management of our State's coastline;

·       release of a draft State Planning Strategy; and -

·       legislative changes to allow the preparation of statutory region plans to reduce future land use conflict and identify land with regional planning significance in areas feeling the pressures of the State's growth including the Peel, Greater Bunbury and Geraldton regions.

Media contact : Bronwyn Hillman 221 1377.